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Heavy rain threat from Tropical Storm Isaac to spread inland during the next few days and water levels remain high along the northern Gulf Coast.

"Even though Isaac is no longer a hurricane, life-threatening hazards from storm surge and inland flooding are still occurring," the U.S National Hurricane Center.

Isaac, which is packing winds of 60 miles per hour (95 km/h), is moving toward the northwest near 6 mph (9 km/h) and is expected to continue in this direction through today, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest by tonight or early Friday, the NHC said.

Trophical Storm Isaac brought widespread flooding to the US Gulf, but the elaborate and costly defences built to protect New Orleans after Hurricane Katriona seven years ago appear to have protected it from the worst harm so far.

Residents in rural Louisiana have been hit hard, with many having to be rescued from homes they did not evacuate from.

Though clearly not as strong as Katrina, the government is urging people to stay vigilant. Craig Fugate, director of Federal Emergency Management Agency said:

"There is no such thing as "just" a tropical storm. You have significant weather impacts still to occur"

Tropical Storm Isaac continued to lash New Orleans with heavy rain today despite being downgraded, as residents in cars and homes were stranded exactly seven years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.

Rescuers in boats tried to reach people stranded around the city. There have been no reports of casualties.

In New Orleans, the newly-fortified levee system appeared to be holding, though power lines were downed and debris littered the streets, prompting officials to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

Louisiana Governor, Bobby Jindal, said authorities may intentionally breach some of the levees to release the build up of water. He added: the National Guard is on site with ten boats to assist in the search and rescue with unconfirmed reports that between 9 and 40 people need rescuing in the east.